Hello all! I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to post. I have been busy this year and haven't had much time to get into the mood to write. This chapter might be a little rushed, I was running low on inspiration. Again, I am sorry it has been so long. Also, the next chapter of Glade Life will be up soon as well, as soon as I finish it up.

Thank you for all of those who are still reading!

Chaya sat in the windowsill, her head leaned back against the wood. She watched as the moon made its silent arc through the night sky, its graceful dance between the stars.

The night was passing away and morning would soon cast its milky white fingers across the darkness. A sense of calm lay over the frozen tundra.

All was as it should be.

Chaya couldn't remember the last time she had felt this relaxed. Not even when she lived with the Winters had she ever felt so full.

She had done it. After all the ups and downs of figuring out her crazy new life, Chaya had accomplished what she had sent out to do. She could use her powers, the ancient power of her mother's family.

She had saved the North Pole workers. She had used her newfound powers to take the darkness out of them. She was truly a Guardian now!

It had been easy, almost natural; as if she was born to do it. She had felt like she belonged, felt the love of all those around her.

Her adoptive father, her brothers, Jack Frost, her mother.

Her father.

Chaya closed her eyes, her heart suddenly feeling heavy.

"If you leave, you will be part of their world. You will no longer be the daughter of the Nightmare King,"

Chaya bit her lip, feeling tears sting at her eyes.

She hadn't thought about Pitch Black since she had left his lair the day before, but his words still cut like a knife. The anger in his voice, the rage in his eyes. Chaya had watched her adoptive mother wither and fade, watched her adoptive father fall deeper and deeper into depression. But nothing had ripped her apart like those words.

Pitch had abandoned her, for a second time.

Just a week ago, Pitch had been so excited to have her back in his life. Granted, he had wanted to bring her up in darkness, to rule with him so he could back the dark ages of his terrifying reign. But all that had changed when he realized how much he had truly missed her. Chaya knew he had loved her; he had been willing to give up his dream just to keep her. He had introduced Chaya to her grandfather, introduced her to heritage. He had given up the chance to see his wife, one last time so that Chaya could meet her.

He had loved her.

But being a Guardian was the one thing that Pitch could not accept.

Now she was lost without her fathers support, without his love.

Chaya whimpered softly and drew her knees up to her chest.

How could she have been so blind? Her father hadn't changed at all; he was just as selfish as he had always been. Why couldn't he just love her for who she was? For who she was meant to be?

Why couldn't he just-

"Chaya?"

Chaya gasped, startled and opened her eyes.

Jack sat on the window sill beside her, his eyes full of concern.

"Are you okay?" His voice was gentle.

Chaya took a moment to catch her breath before she answered.

"I'm fine," She looked down at the floor. "I just needed... some time to think," she looked out the window again, toward the moon.

Jack frowned. He looked out through the window, over the icy hills.

"Is it Pitch?"

Chaya closed her eyes, looking further away from Jack. She had cried in front of him too many times.

She felt a hand on her knee.

"Chaya... you can talk to me,"

Chaya finally looked at him. Her face felt slick with tears.

"I just...," She stopped, holding in a sob. "He said...he said I wouldn't be his daughter anymore if I became a Guardian," She bowed her head, squeezing her eyes shut. "I thought... I thought we had finally made a connection. I thought we were finally going to be okay,"

Jack leaned in closer, taking Chaya's chin in his fingers. He lifted her head, looking into her eyes.

"You will always be his daughter. He can't change that and neither can you. I don't believe he meant it, he can't. You told me yourself that he had changed,"

Chaya looked distraught.

"I think I was wrong,"

Jack shook his head, smiling gently.

"You weren't, I know you weren't. The Pitch I knew would never give up something for anyone else. He gave up everything for you, he can't hate you. He just can't,"

Chaya didn't answer, she simply stared out the window.

"I don't know Jack. You didn't see him,"

Jack frowned, blowing out an icy breath. Suddenly he smiled and stood up, holding out his hand to Chaya.

"Come with me, I want to take you somewhere," He looked devious, like a mischievous child.

Chaya looked at him, her eyebrow raised.

"I thought I wasn't supposed to leave without permission?"

Jack scoffed and waved her off.

"Bunny just says that kind of stuff to scare us,"

Chaya gave him a look, a tiny hint of a smile lighting up her face.

"Are you sure?"

"Don't you trust me?" Jack winked at her, his eyes teasing. Chaya rolled her eyes and took his hand.

"If you get me in trouble again, I'm going to blame it all on you,"

Jack smiled.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," He pulled out a snow globe from his pocket. Chaya shook her head at him and he pulled her closer. He shook the globe and it lit up. White, sparkling light shone in the dimness of the room.

Soon enough, a portal had opened and the two of them were gone.

Chaya couldn't help but smile when she saw where Jack had taken them.

"The pond," Chaya touched a finger to her lips. "It's still frozen,"

Jack, further down the hill, turned to look up at her, a wide smile on his face. He held out his hand to Chaya.

"Want to try it out?"

Chaya followed him down, allowing him to take her hand. He led her closer to the edge of the water. Chaya couldn't help but remember all the times she had taken Joey here. So many blissful, chilly winter days had been spent among these trees.

Of course, Jack would bring her here when she needed a happy moment.

"I don't have any skates with me," Chaya frowned as she stopped on the bank of the pond.

Jack smiled at her and winked.

"Don't you?" He stepped aside and pointed behind him. A pair of old fashioned, red leather skates were laying in the snow.

Chaya's eyes lit up.

"How did you- ?"

"Don't question, just get them on!" Jack wiggled his eyebrows at her and picked up the skates, handing them to her with a twinkle in his eyes.

Chaya took the skates, her mouth hanging open in shock. Jack stepped onto the ice, gliding over the smooth surface, facing her.

He had a wicked smile on his face.

"Care for a race?" His eyes sparkled playfully.

Chaya narrowed her eyes at him.

"Oh, you're going to regret that," She quickly slipped on the skates and stepped onto the ice. It took her a moment to adjust to the feel and fit of the skates, but soon enough, she found her balance.

Jack moved further onto the pond as Chaya sped toward him. She passed him easily and turned a graceful curve back toward him.

"What's wrong?" Her voice was teasing. "Can't keep up?"

Jack set his jaw, a determined smile on his face. He struck out across the ice, catching up quite easily. Chaya pushed further on, around the pond again. She turned around, sticking her tongue out at Jack.

"Is that the best you got?"

Jack smiled a mischievous smile. He touched his staff down to the ice, causing sparkling, snowflake patterns to spread over the frozen water. They multiplied, grew and spread over the ice, even lifted off into the air. Jack leapt and bound onto them. Soon enough, he was past Chaya and had jumped back down on the ice.

Chaya laughed as Jack spun around to face her.

"Too fast for you, huh?" Jack spun around again, taking another loop around the pond.

Chaya shook her head, coming to a stop in the middle of the pond, feeling happy and content. All thoughts of her father were behind her.

She looked down at the ice, admiring the breathtaking patterns on the frozen water, spiralling and spreading under her feet. She had so many memories of this pond. One of the most prominent being when she had brought Joey here after his first day of school. Before everything had become so different. When Jack had been there before she even knew he had existed. He had made the day so special and Chaya had never been able to thank him properly.

To thank him for everything he had done.

Chaya spun around on her skates, catching sight of Jack as he looped around the pond again.

"Jack!" She called for him.

He slowed down, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

"Tired?"

Chaya beckoned him closer, rolling her eyes at him.

"Just get over here,"

Jack stuck his tongue out at her before he sped over, grabbing hold of Chaya's hands as he twirled around her. He spun her around, sparkling snowflakes falling over them. Chaya laughed as Jack whirled her around under his arm, dropped her arm and stepped back.

Jack leaned against his staff, breathing deeply.

"I guess I win," He voice was triumphant.

Chaya shook her head at him. Then she took his hand.

"Thank you, Jack, for bringing me here," She turned around to look over the ice. "This place, this pond, it's really special to me," She looked back at Jack. "I never thanked you for what you did for Joey and me. He really enjoyed himself,"

Jack smiled, softly, still leaning on his staff. He glanced down at his feet, suddenly looking quite bashful.

"I wasn't really thinking about him, when I froze it," He looked back up at Chaya, his blue eyes intense. "I did it for you,"

Chaya nodded.

"I know. I know now," She smiled, looking into his eyes. After a moment, she lay her hand on her chest, leaned forward and kissed him.

Jack's body stiffened and for a moment, he couldn't move. Jack dropped his staff and wrapped his arms around Chaya's back. He pulled her close, running his fingers through her hair. It had never occurred to him how much he had yearned for this moment.

Chaya pulled back, looking up into his eyes.

"I love you, Jack,"

Jack smiled, hardly able to keep from flying off the ground from joy.

"I love you too, Chaya. I've always loved you,"

Chaya touched her fingers to Jack's cheek; they felt like ice.

"I can't... I could never thank you enough for all your help,"

Jack wiggled his eyebrows.

"I think you could," He leaned in again and kissed her, running his thumb over her cheek. Icy snowflakes fell onto her skin, melting as soon as they touched the warmth of her face. Jack broke off the kiss, leaning his forehead against hers.

"I'm sorry, I'm not very warm," His voice was disappointed.

Chaya rubbed her nose against his.

"I wouldn't have it any other way,"

Jack smiled, his eyes closed.

"And that's why you're so perfect,"

Chaya leaned back in Jack's arms, shrugging her shoulders happily.

"It feels so good Jack. To finally know what I'm supposed to be doing. It's been such a crazy journey," Chaya shook her head. "I was so stubborn, I was so angry and frustrated. I just wanted to know what I was supposed to be doing, I must have sounded so bratty," She smirked up at Jack. "I must have driven you insane, dragging you around every which way to figure it all out,"

Jack winked at her.

"You were definitely a handful,"

Chaya rolled her eyes, laughing gently. She lay her head on Jack's forehead, closing her eyes, a smile on her face.

A huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders, it felt so good to know where she belonged. It felt even better knowing that she had a family who supported her. Her adoptive family and those she had come to love in the family of the Guardians.

Everything was as it should be.

"Chaya?"

Jack stiffened, his head up. Chaya felt a stone in her stomach, her heart thumping in her chest.

She turned around.

Pitch Black stood on the edge of the pond.

Okay, we're in the home stretch. Enjoy this chapter, cheers!